Homo Alone – a camp and fun parody musical, that will leave you feeling warm and festive at The Other Palace ★★★★
(C) Mark Senior
What’s the show about?
If you haven’t seen the 1990 Christmas classic film starring Macaulay Culkin then fear not, because with the festive season just around the corner, it will surely be on TV over the holidays.
Kevin, an eight year old boy from a large family, is accidentally left at home, alone, over the Christmas period. When his family realise he is missing, they are already in Paris and a storm is stopping any flights from returning to the USA.
When Kevin realises he has been left alone, it is a dream come true. He can do what he wants, when he wants and answer to no one! But eventually he realises he needs his family after all, especially when two burglars break in to the house and it is down to Kevin to singlehandedly fight them off in a chaotic series of booby traps an eight year old would surely not be able to conjure up.
For this production, Homo Alone, Kevin is no longer a little boy but a teenager coming to terms with his sexuality… and his fathers.
On route to gay Paris, Kevin’s parents realise they’ve left their bébé at home… alone (Catherine O’Hara who played Kevins mother in the film and has since gone on to win hearts as Moira Rose in the sitcom Schitt’s Creek is heavily parodied). Can the family make it back home in time for Christmas? Well, with a little help from Celine Dion and some Christmas cheer, they may just do.
Who’s in the cast?
Elliott Evans plays Kevin McCallister. Elliot is a true rising star in the world of London theatre. He wowed audiences last year at the Turbine Theatre as the starring role in the superhero musical Eugenius! and has recently finished playing the leading role in the West End production of Back To The Future. He is perfectly cast as the young, blonde, twink in this show and I am excited to see where his career takes him next.
Two time Off West End award winner Allie Dart (Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch) is a sensation as mother Kate and burglar Harry. She nails the comedy part here and is another name I will be watching to see what she does next.
Jack North is camp fun as father Peter and shows he can butch it up somewhat too as burglar Marv. Steph Asamoah is also nicely cast as annoying brother Buzz and Celine Dion who saves the day!
Creative team
The production follows several years of successful Studio Christmas shows including Ghosted: Another F**king Christmas Carol and A Very Very Bad Cinderella which was last years’ Christmas offering. Now, writers Jodie Prenger (Coronation Street, I’d Do Anything), and Bobby Delaney (Zog and the Flying Doctors; As You Like It) are back with Homo Alone and they have done a great job. It’s funny and adult but not crass.
Directed wonderfully by Alex Jackson and choreographed by Dale White, who both make good use of the small space and the set (and costume design) by Louie Whitemore is warm and festive.
Final thoughts
After what turned out to be a rather miserable day, Homo Alone was just the tonic I needed. Good camp Christmas fun. I would have liked a little more of the chaos that ensued when the burglars broke in but with with limited space it was understandable.
If you’re a fan of the film you’re sure to have a great time, so get yourself down to The Other Palace Studio today (or any other day until 5 January but not on Mondays).
